Digital versus Traditional Post – the environmental argument

Introduction

With recent Royal Mail price increases for bulk post of 25% and more, the cost of sending traditional letters is at an all time high. We have covered the monetary cost in a previous article. In this blog we look at digital versus traditional post and the environmental argument for making the switch.

Traditional Letter – Carbon Emissions

Using a combination of Royal Mail and industry sourced information, we estimate the full lifecycle impact of sending a traditional DL letter is approximately 55 grams of CO2e. This is broken down as follows:

• Paper used for the letter
• Envelope
• Printing/toner/ink
• Customer delivery to post office
• Royal Mail collection & processing
• Transport between sorting offices
• Final delivery
• Recycling

Digital Letters – Carbon Emissions

A digital letter does create carbon emissions. It still has a carbon footprint because data centres, networks and user devices consume energy and have embodied emissions. Also, depending on complexity of the letter, images and data size, the CO2e can be up to 10 grams.

However, a more accurate measurement for an SMS and digital letter featuring a company logo and text would be closer to 5 grams.

Digital versus Traditional Post – the environmental argument

If you send bulk letters, the amount of CO2e soon mounts up. For example, based on a physical letter using 55 grams and a digital letter using 5 grams:

• 10,000: 450kg saving
• 25,000: 1.125 tons saving
• 50,000: 2.250 tons saving
• 100,000: 4.5 tons saving
• 250,000: 11.250 tons saving
• 500,000: 22.5 tons saving
• 1,000,000: 45 tons saving

The environmental argument for switching to digital letters is a clear one.

Making the Switch

At Saascoms we have been innovating digital letters for nearly a decade. Our award-winning Mailmaster platform is used across the globe from SME’s to Multi Nationals.

Our clients experience significantly reduced costs (versus traditional mail), higher contact rates and engagement.

At the same time, security is front and centre, with all software developed in the UK. Saascoms accreditations include Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO27001 further giving client confidence.

For a demonstration of Mailmaster please contact the team.